A dispute erupted between Lenn Eugene Nagbe, former Chief of Staff to ex-President George Weah, and Sam Gaye, Director of the Executive Protection Services (EPS), stemming from a radio interview given by Nagbe. Nagbe’s comments on OK FM regarding national governance and public interest issues prompted a threatening WhatsApp message from Gaye, stating, “You will hear from me.” This message, perceived as a veiled threat by Nagbe, triggered a formal complaint to Justice Minister Oswald Tweh against Gaye, alleging intimidation and potential misuse of his official position. Nagbe’s legal team, led by Cllr. Saifuah-Mai Gray of the International Law Group, emphasized the seriousness of the threat, given Gaye’s access to firearms and state security apparatus as EPS Director.
The controversy escalated when Gaye, through his legal counsel, former Associate Justice Cllr. Kabineh M. Ja’neh, accused Nagbe of defamation. They alleged that Nagbe had stated during the interview that Gaye possessed a photograph in his bedroom depicting a gun pointed at former President Weah. Gaye demanded a public retraction within 48 hours, threatening legal action otherwise. Nagbe vehemently denied making such a statement. His legal team countered that Gaye’s demand lacked merit as there was no verifiable evidence to support the defamation claim. They categorized Gaye’s actions as an attempt to intimidate and harass Nagbe, misusing legal processes.
Nagbe’s legal team firmly rejected the retraction demand. They challenged Gaye to produce unedited recordings or transcripts supporting his claim, asserting they would consider the matter closed if no such proof was provided. They simultaneously filed a formal complaint with Justice Minister Tweh detailing the threatening message received from Gaye. The complaint underscored the context of the message, arriving shortly after Nagbe’s radio interview, and highlighted Gaye’s history of making threats against political opponents on social media.
The complaint further highlighted the perceived gravity of the threat. Given Gaye’s position as Director of the EPS, Nagbe expressed serious concerns for his personal safety. The complaint argued that the threat could signify an abuse of authority and an attempt to stifle free speech. It requested the Ministry of Justice to launch a formal investigation into Gaye’s communication, emphasizing the need for accountability and deterrence against the misuse of public office for personal vendettas. Nagbe’s lawyers urged the Minister to take appropriate legal and protective measures to ensure Nagbe’s safety and uphold the rule of law.
The formal complaint laid out a series of requests for the Justice Ministry. Firstly, it urged an immediate investigation into the threat issued by Gaye and, if probable cause was found, his prosecution. Secondly, it called for an assessment of the threat’s intent, legality, and implications, considering Gaye’s official responsibilities. Lastly, it requested necessary legal and protective measures under Liberian law to guarantee accountability and prevent the misuse of public office for personal reprisal. The complaint emphasized the Ministry’s role in protecting all citizens equally, irrespective of their rank or political affiliations.
The underlying conflict revolves around Nagbe’s exercise of free speech in a public forum discussing matters of national importance. The ensuing events highlighted potential tensions between freedom of expression and the responsibility of public officials, particularly those with access to state security resources. The situation called for a careful examination of the facts by the Ministry of Justice to determine the nature of the communication and whether any legal boundaries were crossed. The case raised critical questions about safeguarding both public safety and the right to express opinions without fear of intimidation or reprisal.
